Applying varnish or lacquer to sheets



Jan. 5, 1937. H. K. KING APPLYING VARNISH OR LACQQER TO SHEETS Filed March 27, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 INVENTOR:

- flozddrdfiflify, BY ATTORNEY Jan. 5, 1937. H. K. KING APPLYING VARNISH OR LA CQUER TO SHEETS Filed March 27, 1935 Y 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 5, 1937. l H. K. KING 2,U66,782

APPLYING VARNISH OR LACQUER TO SHEETS Filed March 27, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet :s

4 INVENTORI wardfllfl BY M ATTORNEY.

Jamal. 5, mm. H. K. KING 2,066,?8

' I APPLYING VARNISH 0R 'LACQUER TO SHEETS Filed March 2'7, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY.

Jan; 5, 1937. H. K. KING 2,066,782

APPLYING VARNISI'I OR LACQUER T0 SHEETS Filed March 27, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 43 zunnni'nwgfl,

BY WM ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITE SATES SHE Howard K. King, Philadelphia, Pa,

ETS

assignor to Chambers Brothers Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 2'7, 1935, do No. 13,261 501. (on; 91-33) The invention relates to improved method and means for applying a coating of varnish, lacquer or the like to'sheets. Such sheets are usually in color, either printedor lithographed.

Machines for sizing and varnishing paper sheets have long been in use.

The application of lacquer to sheets of paper involves a different problem, because varnish, when applied to a sheet by a roller, flows out smoothly before setting, while lacquer when ap-- plied with a running roller is left with ripples or ridges which do not ordinarily smooth out before the lacquer sets These ripples or ridges run in the same direction in which the sheet travels, which give the coat of lacquer an appearance as though applied with a coarse comb. These ridges are very pronounced on the coating roller, when it is attempted to apply the lacquer with the ordinary varnishing machine.

The object of the present invention is to provide method and means to overcome these difliculties in the application of lacquer, whereby the lacquer may be laid smoothly upon the sheet.

The invention includes the relative and adjustable drive of the coating roller, the control of the doctor roller and the application, support, pressure regulation, and drive of a ripple roller. My invention may be embodied in a new machine, or it may be applied to a standard varnishing machine.

By way of example I have shown different methods and means for efiecting the desired object, some of which maybe used -in combination and some as alternatives.

, Referring to the drawings, which illustrate merely by way of example, suitable embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention, with some details omitted.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fightisa diagrammatic section on the line H of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an and elevation of the fountain shown in Fig; 4, the brake drum being shown in section.

Fig. 6 isa plan view showing a different method of driving the coating roller and also of driving the doctor roller.

Fig. 10 is a section on line ltlt of Fig. 9.

Figs. 3 to 10 inclusive, are on larger scales than the scale of Figs. 1 and 2.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

.press. Each sheet is fed to guides and is taken by grippers on the cylinder l 8 and carried around. it and delivered onto the tapes ii, that usually carry it into and-through a dryer.

The'coating is applied by the rubber covered roller ill. the doctor roller regulating the thickness of the coat. When there is no sheet fed the fountain 2! must be tripped so that the roller 2 I9 will notapply coating to the cylinder. The surface of the cylinder is packed to raise the surface represented by the size of the sheet, so that the sheet only may be coated and not the cylinder. This packing is of uniform thickness and slightly less in dimensions than the sheet. This packing has a smooth oil-cloth drawn tightly over it. If this surface should become coated by accident, it can readily be cleaned ofl by a suitable solvent.

In the standard type of varnishing machine, the coating roller 19 runs at the same surface speed as that of the paper on the cylinder. The doctor roller 20 runs at approximately half this speed. The doctor roller may or may not run in the varnish or lacquer, depending on the quantity in the fountain.

The guides, grippers and means for holding the packing and the oil-cloth cover, and the means for supporting and operating the tapes are all well known and are not shown in the drawings.

In accordance with the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, coating roller. i9 is driven through a Reeves variable speed drive 23. By means of this drive it is possible to run the coating roller l9 at one-half the speed of the paper, and at any speed above that, up to the speed of I the paper. In practice it has been found that excellent results are secured by running the roller ill at approximately 72% of the speed of the paper on the cylinder l8.

This percentage may be varied or adjusted to meet-existing or varying conditions, due, to the temperature, and consistency of the lacquer.

In accordance with the arrangement shown in r Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the driving pulley is mounted on the shaft 3|, which carries a pinion which drives, through an idler not shown, the gear 32 mounted on shaft of the cylinder l8. The shaft 3| also carries a sprocket wheel 33 which drives through a chain 34, the sprocket 35 on the shaft 36 of the Reeves variable speed drive. The variable speed drive of the present example is of the vertical type. The shaft 31 of this drive carries the pinion 38, which drives the gear wheel 39 on the shaft 4| of the coating roller |9.

A ratchet wheel 42 is mounted on the shaft 43 of the doctor roller 2|], and is actuated by a pawl 44, operated by the lever 45 mounted on the pivot or stud 45. This lever has, at its outer end, a cam roller 41 adapted to coact with a cam 48 mounted on the shaft 40. This lever 45 is also provided with an arm 49 connected at its outer end to a spring rod 50 provided with a spring 5| for normally maintaining the roller and cam in contact.

The lever 52 is mounted at 53 and provided at its upper free end with the cam roller 54, and is controlled by the spring 55 to maintain the roller in contact with the cam 48. This lever 52 is operated synchronously with the drive of the cylinder in connection with gripping the sheets.

The frame l5, upon which the above mechanism is mounted, is also provided with a shaft 58 upon which are mounted the arms 58 (see Fig. 4) which carry the fountain 2|. These arms are provided with the downwardly projecting arms 59 having adjustable shoes 60 for engaging the cams 6| on the shaft of pedals 22.

By the mechanism described it will be seen that the pulley 30, which is driven from any suitable source of power, drives directly through suitable gears the cylinder l8. This pulley 30, also drives through the chain and sprocket mechanism, the Reeves variable speed drive. The Reeves drive, by means of gears 38 and 39, drives the coating roller l9, while the doctor roller is actuated, upon each revolution of the cylinder, by the cam actuated pawl and ratchet mechanism. The doctor roller is normally held against rotation, between the intermittent pawl and ratchet actuations, by the brake mechanisms 24 and 26.

By a proper regulation of these mechanisms it will be seen that the relative surface speeds of the cylinder and the coating roller are secured.

The application of the coating to the paper on the cylinder may be distinctly improved by driving the coating roller at a surface speed less than the surface speed of the cylinder.

Since, by retarding the speed of the coating roller a wiping effect is produced, and this effect may be varied as required.

On the other hand, without changing the normal relation of cylinder and coating roller speeds, another valuable control may be secured by holding the doctor roller from rotation during the application of the coating to each sheet, and also by varying the pressure, by means to be described, between the doctor roller and the coating roller. It is also possible to combine these two features in securing desired results.

The machine above described contemplates an entirely new'construction, as compared with the old varnishing machine, as additional room has to be provided for the cam, gears and the Reeves drive.

The following description comprises the application of the invention to the well known standand varnishing machine, with slight modifica- In Figs. 6, '7 and 8, is shown a device adapted to accomplish the'same results with less expensive mechanism, and also with a few new parts which can be placed upon existing varnishing or coating machines.

In the arrangement shown in these figures, the gear is driven by the cylinder gear 32. Gear 65 runs freely on the shaft 4| of the coating roller l9, and drives the gear 66. Gear 61 is secured to the hub of gear 66 and both run freely on the shaft 43 of doctor roller 20.. Gear 61 drives gear 58, which is secured to shaft 4| of the coating roller Hi.

The ratio of these gears is such that the surface speed of the coating roller is, for example, 72% of the speed of the paper on the cylinder. Gears 61 and 68 are change gears sothat the ratio can be readily changed, the range of change being in eleven sets from equal speed to 57% of the speed of the cylinder. The equal speeds could be used when the machine is used for varnish. In this way the same machine is capable and adaptable for use for either varnish or lacquer.

Gears 69 and 10 drive the doctor roller at a relatively slow speed with respect to the coating roller, thus giving the desired wiping effect and constantly presenting a fresh surface to the coating roller. This takes the place of the intermittent motion as described in the former method.

Means are also preferably provided for adjusting the pressure of the doctor roller against the coating roller, for example, referring to Figs. 6, 'l and 8, the bearings 1| of the doctor roller 20 are slidably mounted on the fountain 2|, which permits of horizontal movement of roller 20, in direction toward and away from roller I9. This horizontal movement is controlled by the screw rods 12 threaded at one end into projections from bearings 1| while at the other end they are provided with the thrust bearing 13 secured to the front of the fountain. These rods are provided with the hand-operating handles or knobs 14, whereby the attendant may conveniently adjust the pressure between these rollers-at will.

As another means for securing a satisfactory application of coating to the sheets, I have provided a ripple roller 15 shown in Figs. 4, 9 and 10. It will be understood that this feature may be applied either to the mechanism illustrated in F135.

and gave two fractions. The first weighed 8 grams the mechanism illustrated in Figs. '7, 8 and 9, or it may be utilized with advantage in connection with any sheet coating machine in which it is desired to improve the smoothness of the coat upon the sheet.

In accordance with this invention it has been foundadvantageous to provide a ripple roller positioned so as to contact with the sheet upon the cylinder a slight distance above the coating roller, and 'to cause the rotation of the ripple roller at a ratio approximately ten per cent of the surface speed of the sheet. It has been found desirable also to vary as required the pressure of the ripple roller against the sheet. For this purpose the ripple roller 15 is mounted in the bearings 16 at each end thereof. (See Fig. 9.) These bearings 16 are slidably mounted on brackets 11 secured to the fountain, so that the same may be moved in direction toward and away from the cylinder. Threaded rods 18 are slidably mounted in the extension 19 of bracket 11. The inner end of each rod is secured to a bearing block 16. A

1, 2 and 3, or to .ward movement of the ripple roller.

spring 80 is provided between extension 19 and nut 8! on said threadedrod II, so that the nut may coating roller out of contact with the cylinder, the

' ripple roller is also moved out of contact with said cylinder.

A gear wheel 83 is mounted on the shaft 3d of the ripple roller, which gear wheel meshes with idler 85, which in turn, is driven by the pinion it of the shaft M of the coating roller, and therefore rotates synchronously at desired ratio to the surface speed of the cylinder. This ratio is secured or changed as desired by providing gears 83-86 of required ratio. i

What I claim is:-

1. In a device 01' the character described, the combination of a sheet carrying cylinder, a coating roller, a doctor roller and a ripple roller, means for rotating said rollers, including means operat ing between the coating roller and the ripple roller for communicating a continuous drive from the coating roller to the ripple roller at desired ratio, and spring controlled, adjustable bearings for varying the resilient pressure of the ripple roller upon the sheet. 1

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with suitable supporting shafts of a sheet carrying cylinder having a gear wheel rotating therewith, a coating roller having a gear rotating therewith, a pair of loosely mounted gears in fixed rotatable relationship, one meshing with the coating roller gear, and 'a loosely mounted gear meshing with the other of said pair of gears and with the-cylinder gear, said gears being in required ratio.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet carrying cylinder, a coating roller and a doctor roller, and their rotatable supporting shafts, a pair of gears in fixed rotatable relationship, loosely mounted on the doctor roller shaft, a pair of gears, one fixed and the other loosely mounted on the coating roller shaft,

the gears of one shaft cooperating with the gears of the other shaft, and a-gear on the cylinder shaft cooperating with the loose gear on the coating roller shaft, said gears proportioned to secure the required difierential as to the cylinder and coating roller rotations.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with suitable supporting shafts of a sheet carrying cylinder having a gear rotating therewith, a coating roller having a gear rotating therewith, a pair of loosely mounted gears in fixed rotatable relationship, one meshing with the coating roller gear, and a loosely mounted gear meshing with the other of said pair of gears and ing roller shaft and one of the pair of loosely mounted gears being removable for exchange with other gears for changing the ratio between surface speeds oi the coating roller and of the sheet upon the cylinder.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with suitable supporting shafts of a sheet carrying cylinder having a gear rotating therewith, a coating roller having a gear rotating therewith,;a pair of loosely mounted gears in fixed rotatable relationship, one meshing with the coating roller gear, a loosely mounted gear meshing with ,the other of said pair of gears and with the cylinder gear, a doctor roller having a gear rotating therewith, and a gear rotating with the coating roller of required ratio and cooperating with the gear of'the doctor roller.

HOWARD K. ENG. 

